November 2009

Remembering Les Paul
As news of his recent passing spread, reaction was swift and heartfelt. His name is synonymous with Gibson’s early solidbodies, and for a time he was one of America’s most popular, accomplished electric guitarists. We recount his history and gather thoughts from notable players.

The Epiphone Pacemaker
Before you label this combo a “poor man’s Princeton,” peek under the hood; there’s not a Fender-certified tube in sight. And in true alternatives like this, that’s where the fun begins. By Dave Hunter

Fender’s Precision Bass
It was arguably more influential than Fender’s Tele or Strat. But its evolutionary history is more like Gibson’s Les Paul, given that it reached its preferred configuration only after a few upgrades. By George Gruhn and Walter Carter

Pete Anderson
Guitars, solo blues…
Musical partner to Dwight Yoakam, he’s a pioneer in the roots-rock genre and was an early champion of Americana acts. But his new CD marks a return to his blues roots. We talk it over, and go deep into the stories of his most prized guitars. By Ward Meeker

Coppock Guitars
Vintage Rarities from the Pacific Northwest
Until last March, a photo of an enigmatic logo on a headstock was all that had been seen of the brand. But one when surfaced in Seattle, subsequent research unearthed the back-story about the instruments and their maker. By Peter Blecha

The Gibson Marauder M-1
Every once in awhile, Gibson asks itself, “Why don’t we make a bolt-neck guitar!” So they do, and the result is almost always interesting – and almost always a commercial flop. A case in point is this nifty little guitar from 1978. By Michael Wright

The Standel 400S
In the early days of the electric guitar, Standel earned a reputation for building high-quality amps. But one of the more curious and convoluted tales of the ’60s guitar boom involves the company’s efforts to market guitars carrying its brand. By Willie G. Moseley